High fashion: The man with 1,000 stewardess uniforms

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Photos:Airline uniforms

United Airlines (1968) – Uniforms like this one donned by United Airlines flight attendants in 1968 are among the most iconic ever made, says collector and aviation enthusiast Cliff Muskiet.

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Air France (current uniform) – Muskiet has been collecting flight attendant ensembles since the early 1980s.

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Caledonian Airways (1990) – In more than 30 years he has managed to accumulate over 1,000 flight attendant outfits and accessories.

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Braniff International Airways (1973 - 1974) – Muskiet says the uniforms offer a window into different eras of style and commercial aviation history -- like this stylish ensemble from the now defunct Braniff International Airways.

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Hughes Airwest (1970) – "You can see the fashion change through the years," says Muskiet, as emphasized by this early 1970s outfit from Hughes Airwest.

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Bangkok Airways (1990 - 2000) – The vibrant technicolor of Bangkok Air's uniform is a throwback to the 1970s designs of many American airlines.

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Air Uganda (current uniform) – Muskiet often receives requests to display his collection at industry shows and exhibitions.

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Ethiopian Airlines (current uniform) – Other exhibitions to display Muskiet's uniforms over the years include the Farnborough Air Show.

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Singapore Airlines (current uniform) – Displays of national identity in airline uniforms can help differentiate cabin crew outfits and make a statement, explains Muskiet.

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Emirates (1990 - 2009) – But a uniform can still be very attractive despite the absence of any reference to national identity, he adds.

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Story highlights

Airline uniforms are the passion of collector Cliff Muskiet

The KLM employee has collected more than 1,000 stewardess outfits since 1980

He says the uniforms offer a window into different eras of aviation history

Airline uniforms may not be the fashionista's definition of sartorial elegance but the flight attendant's garb represents the epitome of jet-set style and glamour for one aviation enthusiast.

Cliff Muskiet has been collecting female flight attendant ensembles since the early 1980s and has accumulated over 1,000 outfits and accessories, which he proudly displays on his website uniformfreak.com.

"I love airplanes and everything that comes with it," says Muskiet, who also works as a flight attendant for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

"When I think of an airplane, I automatically think of a stewardess. When I think of a stewardess, I automatically think of a uniform. When I think of a uniform, I want to have it," he adds.

Muskiet often receives requests to display his collection at industry shows and exhibitions. He says the uniforms offer a window into different eras of style and commercial aviation history.

"You can see the fashion change through the years when you look at the stewardess uniforms," explains Muskiet.

"I love the 1970s psychedelic patterns and color combinations: yellow, red, orange, purple, green, white, blue. Every color was used and everything was possible," he adds.

Over the years, some of the world's most prominent fashion designers have created outfits for airline companies, including Giorgio Armani (Al Italia), Nina Ricci (Cathay Pacific) and Christian Lacroix (Air France), says Muskiet.

He says the combination of aesthetic style and neat accessories, as well as the embodiment of the carrier's national identity -- although this is not absolutely necessary -- can all be important factors in creating a uniform that will resonate.

"Look at Emirates, they wear a Western uniform and the color is horrible," says Muskiet.

"But the red hat with veil is eye catching. The veil is that national identity as well as the color of the uniform: beige is the color of sand."

Muskiet says his collection will continue to grow for as long as airlines are willing to let him get his hands on their attire. In doing so, he hopes to preserve and further chronicle the historic link between airlines and the styles they continue to spawn.

"There has always been something glamorous about aviation and airline fashion," he enthuses. "These two go well together."